Printer ink levels

[kenny1234]

I had my first warning that the ink levels in my H/P printer were getting low ,so I ordered new ones in APRIL .Since then the odd warning has popped up but I am still using the cartridges that are supposed to be running out. The moral is surely to keep going until quality of print deteriates(which it hasn't yet) Admitted I don't print a great deal; but I must be running on "ink vapour" Any had similar experiences?

[TTG]

Yes. I have a Canon and it warns the ink is low and to replace the cartridge. Depending on print quality settings or type of printing one does, there is still some ink left for a time. When it has fully run out, printing stops. That's when I change cartridges. One thing I do is to always print on fast speed and draft quality (specially text). I only change to better quality when printing images or anything work related.

[dzug2]

Most printers don't measure the ink in the cartridge. They count the number of pages printed - which can only ever give a rough indication of ink consumption.

[alexanderd]

I always get a warning well before they run out but always wait till it says this cartridge is empty before I change it. I have an epsom and tend to keep spares anyway

[Wak]

As dzug2 points out, the printers only calculate that the ink should be running out soon and the printer will keep on working as long as there is ink in the cartridge,
For anyone that's interested, I've always refilled my cartridges for the last ten years, and on my last printer (before it died electrically!) I refilled the same black cartridge for 30 months. The trick is to refill well BEFORE the cartridge runs dry.
My new printer now uses chipped cartridges but I still refill them. The printer still tells me that they should be empty but by knowing the weight of a full cartridge and an empty cartridge, I check the cartridge weights regularly and refill as and when necessary.
The so called "half empty" cartridges supplied with the new printer have also been refilled and are still in use.